Rocktrospectiva: The Succesful And Popular Whitney Houston's Self-Titled Album Turns 40

Released on 14 February 1985 "Whitney Houston" self-titled debut album had a slow commercial response, but began getting more popular in mid-1985. It eventually topped the Billboard 200 for 14 weeks in 1986, generating three number-one singles—"Saving All My Love for You", "How Will I Know" and "Greatest Love of All"—on the Billboard Hot 100, which made it both the first debut album and the first album by a solo female artist to produce three number-one singles in the United States.

After seeing Houston perform in a New York City nightclub, Clive Davis believed the singer had the potential to crossover and be the next big superstar. He signed her in 1983 and the two began work on her debut album. Initially Davis had a hard time finding songs for her. Even after elaborate showcases in New York and Los Angeles, many producers turned down the chance to work with her.  It took a year and a half for Jerry Griffith (then Arista's head of A&R and the one who had recommended Houston to Davis) and Davis to gather suitable songs for the album. Finally the songwriter-producer Kashif offered to produce "You Give Good Love". Jermaine Jackson produced three songs. Narada Michael Walden revised and then produced "How Will I Know". Michael Masser covered the pop side of the tracks, producing four of his own compositions, including "Saving All My Love for You" and "Greatest Love of All", which had originally been recorded in 1977 by George Benson as "The Greatest Love of All", and was the main theme of the 1977 Muhammad Ali biopic The Greatest.

Whitney Houston received critical acclaim upon release. In a positive review for Houston, she projects the commanding dignity and elegance of someone far more mature, describing ballads as "Saving All My Love for You", "Greatest Love of All," and "Hold Me" are some of the loveliest pop singing on vinyl since the glory days of Dionne Warwick." Also added that Houston has a silky, rich, vibrant voice that moves between steely edges, or curls sensuously around the notes."

 

Whitney Houston Track List:  

1. You Give Good Love

2. Thinking About You

3. Someone For Me

4. Saving All My Love For You

5. Nobody Loves Me Like You Do

6. How Will I Know

7. All At Once 

8. Take Good Care Of My Heart

9. Greatest Love Of All

10. Hold Me